APD cracking down on Super Sunday

By:

Star staff report

Posted:

Sat, 02/02/2013 - 7:55am

The Anchorage Police Department plans an all-out blitz on drunk driving over the Super Bowl weekend.

According to a press release sent out by the department, APD will be "out in force" during the big game. The release said APD has received special funding from the Alaska Office of Highway Safety to increase its patrols through Sunday.

The department has impounded an average of 33 vehicles during the Super Bowl weekend over the past three years, including 42 in 2010, 30 in 2011 and 27 in 2012.

"Every OUI accident is an avoidable tragedy, and with the help of proactive public reporting and public safety traffic enforcement, we would like to see this trend continue," wrote department spokeswoman Dani Myren.

Whether you’re rooting for the Ravens, a fan of the 49ers, or simply in it for the commercial entertainment, for many of us Super Bowl weekend presents a festive opportunity to join friends and family to celebrate the big game. While the Anchorage Police Department wishes you an enjoyable Super Bowl Weekend, the safety of our community is our first priority. As such, the Anchorage Police Department will be out in force throughout Super Bowl Weekend, strictly enforcing impaired driving violations. To assist with this effort, the Alaska Highway Safety Office has provided funds for special details to target impaired drivers.

A first arrest for OUI can cost up to $25,000 and results in a criminal record that never goes away. Operating a motor vehicle impaired also puts you and others at serious risk. Designated drivers or cab rides are cheaper and safer! So enjoy the weekend’s festivities, but DON’T DRIVE IMPAIRED.

A little OUI background information:

In 2010, APD impounded 42 vehicles over Super Bowl weekend for Operating Under the Influence (OUI). In 2011, APD impounded 30 vehicles over game weekend for OUI and in 2012 APD impounded 27.

At the beginning of 2012, the Anchorage Police Department established a goal of zero OUI fatality accidents for 2012. While Anchorage did not quite achieve that goal, the single OUI fatality accident in 2012 occurred on April 30th, 2012. Before that, the last OUI fatality accident occurred on December 8th, 2011. That means Anchorage has seen one fatality accident in 14 months…and counting. Every OUI accident is an avoidable tragedy, and with the help of proactive public reporting and public safety traffic enforcement, we would like to see this trend continue.